Threshing mechanism



Nov. 24, 1942. w. R. DRAY THRESHING MECHANISM 2 sheds-sheet 1'- Original Filed July 1, 1935 Nov. 24, 1942. w. R, DRAY THRESHING MECHANISM 2' Smets-sheet 2 Original Filed July 1, 1935 Patented Nov. 24, 1942 ICE' 2,303,200 THRESHING MECHANISM Walter R. Dray, Kendall Township, Kendall County, lll., assignor to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee. Wis., a corporation of Delaware Original application July l, 1935, Serial No. 29,216. Divided and this application June 29, 1940, Serial No. 343,127

(cl. 13o- 21) 11 Claims.

This invention relates in general to improvements-in threshing machines, and it has special utility in connection -with the type of threshing machines known as harvester-threshers or combines through which the crop may be both harvested frem the ileld and threshed during the travel of the machine through the field; and the invention is more particularly concerned with improvements in the mechanism of such machines which threshes or removes grain or seed from the straw or stalks.

The present application is a. division of applicantscopending application, Serial No. 29.216, iiled July 1, 1935.

Prior forms of threshing machines which have been in commercial use to any appreciable extent have an operating disadvantage that an undue amount of grain or seed removed from the stalksv is cracked or broken in the threshing mechanism,

and this defect is more apparent if the grain is threshed when ripe and dry. In such prior maof the grain by and against the hard surfaces of the threshing elements, particularly in threshing ripe grain, has been to crack and break an undesirably large portion of the threshed grain or seeds. And this tendency to crack and break the grain or seed has forced the necessity of limiting the speed of the threshing cylinder, and hence the capacity of a machine, in order to avoid an undue amount of cracking of the threshed grain or seed.

chines, the results of the rubbing and beating v The present invention has for an object and anism for use in threshing grain or the like,

wherein eilicient threshing may be secured with a minimum of breakage and cracking of the grain kernels or seeds, and wherein this desired result may be satisfactorily obtained at such relatively high operating speeds of the threshing cylinder as will afford an increased capacity, with maximum clean grain recovery, of a threshing machine or-harvester-thresher of a given weight. This facility for operation of the threshing mechanism at increased speed'without undue breaking or cracking of the grain kernels is of particularly great advantage in connection with harvester-threshers, especially toward enabling the production of such a machine of light weight which can be propelled through the field at re1- atively high speed and correspondingly great capacity with minimum power requirements. And desirable operating advantages are heightened by feeding the grain or seed bearing stalks, in the direction of their length, to a threshing cylinder and stationary threshing element or concave of extended axial length, so that the grain or seed may pass in a relatively thin or shallow stream of extended Width into and through the threshing mechanism; and such a threshing mechanism,

in addition to securing emcient removal of a high percentage of the grain or seed from the stalks, will pass the stalks through the threshing mechanism with a minimum of breakage of the straw, a decided advantage in the recovery and subsequent handling and utilization of the straw.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved and simple design of threshing mechanism for a threshing machine wherein the active threshing elements are of extended length and provided with yielding facings at those portions which come into forcible contact with the grain or seed to be threshed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved threshing mechanism of this character embodyinga rotary threshing cylinder having circumferentially spaced and relatively rigid threshing bars of extended length provided at their active leading faces with rubber or like yielding coverings.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved threshing mechanism of this character embodying, in conjunction with the rotatable threshing bars of the cylinder, a cooperative stationary concave element having spaced threshing projections of extended length and likewise having a rubber or like yielding facing at the leading edges of such projections.

Th'ese and other objects and advantages are attained by the present invention, various novel features of which will be apparent 'from the descripti'm and accompanying drawings, disclosing an embodiment of features of the invention, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmental vertical sectional plan view of a harvester-thresher, such as is disclosed in the above mentioned parent application,- the plane of section being that of the line I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a fragmental vertical sectional elevation in the plane of the line II-II of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view in the plane of the line II-II of Fig. l.

Referring to the drawings, wherein are shown parts of a harvester-thresher apparatus, such as is disclosed in applicants parent application mentioned hereinabove, a main support for the apparatus may be in the form of a steel tube l 0 extending transversely of the normal direction of travel of the apparatus, and carrying journals for the supporting traction wheels Il. On the support i0 is mounted a supporting vframework carrying a supporting `and enclosing housing i3 for the threshing mechanism. with an auxiliary header frame I4 carried by the latter housing, and a housing I5 for the separating mechanism, the latter communicating with the discharge side of the housing for the threshing mechanism and extending transversely thereof. A grain Storage bin I8 is mounted on the frame forwardly of the separat 4r housing I5.

The header frame Il is of troughlike form open at its forward and rear vends and has side walls I1 which may be flanged at their upper edges 5 through the major portion of their length. The side walls of the header frame fit closely within side walls I9 of the housing I3 for the threshing mechanism at the open forward side thereof, and the header frame is mounted on thehousing I3 through a pivotal connection between the side walls of the header frame and the side walls of the housing I 3, so that the .lower forward edge of the header frame may be swung up and down to a desired position of adjustment relative to the ground. A suitable cutting sickle and guard therefor are mounted at the lower or forward edge of the header Il; and an upwardly traveling belt type feed draper 33 is mounted on the header to carry the harvested grain from the'forward end of the header. As will be apparent, the forward end of the feed draper travels about a suit-- able guide roller mounted on the header adjacent the forward end thereof: and a known type of rotatable gathering reel may be suitably mounted on the forward portion of the header frame so as to lie over the sickle.

The draper belt is preferably of a width substantially equal to the width of the header at its rear end, and it travels over a driving roller 39 having shaft Journals rotatably mounted in bearings on the side walls I1 of the header frame near the upper end thereof and on the adjacent portions of the side walls I9 of the housing I3, the driving shaft of this upper roller preferably being coincident with the axis on which the header frame has its pivotal movement on the side walls of the housing I3. This driving shaft, indicated at 39a,- projects through the outer side wall I3 of the housing I3.

An endless feeding conveyor 15, inthe 'form of a draper belt preferably provided with transverse bars or slats on the working surface thereof, is driven by a driving roller 13 and travels over a second roller 18 disposed above and somewhat beyond the upper roller 39 of the conveying draper 38, the rollers 'I6 and 18 being mounted in bearings in the side walls I3 of the housing I3. 'I'he rollers 16 and 13 are so positioned and the feeding draper 15 is so driven thatthe lower course 00 of the latter draper travels, like the upper course of the conveying draper 38, toward the threshing mechanism in the housing I3, and the working surfaces of the two drapers gradually approaching each other to produce a throat or restricted area over the upper roll 39 of the draper 33. 'I'he lower surface of the draper 15, particularly at its inner end, is adapted to press against -and advance material which has been fed along and by the working surfaces of the draper 33.

The threshing cylinder, indicated generally at 8|, comprises an operating shaft 82 rotatably mounted in bearings in the side walls of the housing, and a plurality of spaced annular members or disks i83 mounted on the shaft, with the peripheral flanges of the disks turned over at right angles to the planes of the disks, as indicated at 34. Secured to the peripheral flanges 84 of the disks 83 are a plurality of spaced thresher bars 35 in the form of sections of angle iron extending longitudinally of the cylinder in the general direction of the axis thereof, one flange portion of each bar being secured to the flanges 84 and the other substantially radially extending flange portions serving as active threshing elements. For

a purpose that will be more particularly referred to hereafter. the leading faces of the thresher bars are provided with a wearing surface of relatively flexible rubber or like resilient material, as indicated at 83, vulcanized or otherwise attached to the bars, to constitute a longitudinally extending and continuous or unbroken impact threshing face lying substantially radially of the cylinder; and this resilient facing extends outwardly to approximately the radially outer edge of the bar. leaving such latter edge of the bar uncovered and substantially smooth and unbroken. The angle iron bar thus acts as a support or reinforcement for the resiliently yieldable threshing surface portion of the -threshing bar element.

The stationary concave element with which the thresher bars cooperate in the threshing operation includes a generally circular and preferably imperforate housing portion 31 beneath the threshing cylinder and a throat or ledger plate assembly at the forward edge of this housing p0rtion, this assembly comprising a bent plate 89 having a portion adjustably mounted on the bottom wall of the header frame and having its rear edge resting on angle plates 90 secured to the side walls I9 of the housing I3 and extending over or in close proximity to the leading edge of the housing portion 81. An adjustable choking or ledger plate 9| is mounted and secured in position at the rear edgeof the plate 89, and extends beyond the same toward the threshing cylinder into close proximity to the path of the thresher bars 35. This ledger plate is preferably in the form of a steel plate having a wearing or working surface of rubber or like flexible resillent material 92, riveted, vulcanized, or otherwise secured to the steel plate. The ledger plate may be adiustably secured in position to permit move ment of its rear edge toward and from the threshing cylinder. and thus most efficiently accommodating for wear of the rear edge of the ledger plate and for diverse characteristics of various crops to be threshed, particularly as to size or character of the grain kernels or seed and the stalks, by being provided with elongated slots 93 through which pass bolts 34 which, in cooperation with the plate 39 and an upper clamping plate and bolts 93 and a cooperating spacer at the forward edge of this clamping plate, serve to clamp the ledger plate in any desired position of adjustment of its rear edge with respect to the path of the threshing bars.

On the upper surface of the concave housing l1 raised portions or relatively rigid bars or strips 91 are provided, these latter extending generally parallel to the axis of the threshing cylinder and projecting into relatively close proximity to the path of the thresher bars 85. These bars or strips may be in the form of raised portions of the housing or bars secured to the housing and covered at their forward surface, and preferably at the upper surface, with ka substantially continuous or unbroken wearing surface of rubber or like material; but, as shown in the drawings, these bars or strips are preferably in the form of rubber strips secured in place on the housing 31 by angular clamping strips 93 which engage the upper surfaces of the rubber strips and are provided with flanges secured to the housing 31. The leading edges of these concave threshing bars or strips are preferably inclined rearwardly, as indicated at A99, for a purpose which will be referred to hereinafter.

The upper portion of the housing for the threshing cylinder follows and is relatively closely spaced from the path of the threshing bars B8 to a point adjacent the end of the upper feeding draper 15, the forward end of the housing being easily curved, as indicated at |06, and serving to guide grain downwardly toward the ledger plate 9| and the threshing bars moving past the same.

In order to best accommodate the apparatus for threshing various kinds and conditions of crops, the bearings for the shaft 82 of the threshing cylinder are mounted, in a conventional manner, so as to be adjustable toward and from the active threshing portions of the concave. With such an arrangement, the space between the path of travel of the radially outer edges of the rotating threshing bars and the radially inner edges of the concave threshing projections may be varied to best facilitate the passage of the threshed grain or seeds and the stalks of the crop.

In the operation of the threshing mechanism, the harvested grain' is moved upwardly along the conveying draper 39 toward its discharge end where the feeding draper 75 cooperates in moving the grain toward the threshing mechanism and into the path of travel of the threshing bars 85, and the latter, moving at a relatively high speed, beat the grain kernels from the straw and force or draw the threshed grain and straw between the threshing bars and the rear edge of the ledger plate. During this operation, the heads of grain are forcibly projected against the rear edge of the ledger plate and then carried beyond the same by the rotating threshing bars, the latter carrying the grain and straw past the threshing bars and the concave, the cooperative movable and xed threshing bars serving to beat the grain from the heads as the latter and the straw are passed through the space between the cylinder and the concave.

Due to the fact that there is considerable fan action" of the rapidly rotating threshing cylinder, particularly through the threshing bars acting as fan vanes, a considerable current of air is induced along the normal path of ow of material .passing through the threshing mechanism, and

this induced draft assists in forcing thestraw and threshed grain from the housing of the threshing cylinder toward and through the discharge therefrom into the separator housing I5.

It is a recognized fact that the eiliciency of the threshing operation is ordinarily increased with the speed of operation of the threshing cylinder; but it is also recognized that increase in the speed of the threshing cylinder beyond a certain point causes damage to the threshed grain, particularly in the matter of cracking the same; and this defect is probably more apparent in the threshing of crops other than grain, as for inlandl the straw and grain discharged from the stance, beans. This cracking results in greatv part from the fact that the kernels or seeds are thrown or batted by the movable threshing bars against the concave with very considerable force. The advantages of high speed of the threshing mechanism and efllcient operation under high speeds of the threshing cylinder are attained by means-which are intimately concerned with the provision of the rubber or like wearing surfaces on the leading faces of the rotatable 4threshing bars andthe ledger plate and threshing projections of the concave. With the provision of these flexible and resilient surfaces, the grain kernels or seeds, when struck by the movable threshing bars, are thrown by the latter against the ledger plate and the threshing projections of the concave from which they rebound with great force into the path of succeeding threshing bars, the inclined forward faces S8 on the fixed threshing elements of the concave facilitating this action; and the general eiYect is to secure a very thorough separation of the grain from the stalks in the threshing mechanism, and all without any serious damage to the grain kernels or seeds from the lmpingement upon the active surfaces of the threshing elements, even under high operating speeds.

The discharge opening or passage iii! from the housing of the threshing cylinder extends across the full width of the cylinder and opens into the forward portion oi the separator housing i through the adjacent wall thereof. This discharge passage is preferably generally above the horizontal plane through the axis of the cylinder:

cylinder housing with considerable force, due to the relatively high speed of the cylinder and the fan effect thereof, is blown or forced across the separator housing with a generally upward component and with a tendency to whirl and pile up on the portion of the separating mechanism adjacent the inner edge of the threshing cylinder. This forcible expulsion of material from the threshing cylinder tends to keep the threshing cylinder clear with little tendency to clogging, and it is a desirable` feature in emcient threshing.. However, in order to maintain the separat ing mechanism of minimum length and to insure utilization of the separating action of the latter throughout its full length, means are provided for insuring -that the straw discharged from the threshing cylinder is deposited on the forward end of the separating mechanism.

One or more guiding baffles 02 curving toward the forward end of the separator housing are mounted on and depend from the roof of the separator housing into the path of material projected upwardly from the discharge from the threshing cylinder. These baffles m2 preferably extend to gradually increasing distances transversely of the separating chamber, and may be of gradually increasing height, toward the discharge end of the separator housing, in order to secure the desired bailling and guiding effect. 'I'he material discharged from the cylinder housing strikes these baiiles and is guided thereby toward the forward end of the separator housing and drops down on the adjacent end portion of the separating mechanism, permitting utilization of the separating action of the latter on the straw throughout the full length of the separator. Due to the fact that the separating mechanism is beneath the direct path of the portion of the air blast of greater pressure during the discharge of material from the threshing cylinder, the straw dropping on the rack is moved along toward the discharge end of the separating mechanism substantially under the influence of the shaking motion of the separating mechanism.

The forward end wall of the separating housing l may be provided with a transversely extending baile I02a extending across substantially the major portion of the width of the housing and extending downwardly at an angle. This baille Ill2a serves to deflect onto the forward end of the separating mechanism grain and straw particles'projected against the forward end wall, thus preventing them from passing downwardly between the end of the rack and the adjacent wall of the separator housing.

The separating mechanism includes devices for ing rack |03 comprising as essential parts a frame extending the full length and approximately the full width of the separator housing and spaced transverse slats |04, |05 carried by the frame.

The shaking rack is suitably mounted in operative position on supporting links, a forward one of which is indicated at ||2, to provide for the desired oscillating and shaking motion, which may be accomplished through suitable shaking levers. The rack may be provided with auxiliary riser bars, indicated at |20, to hold the straw from packing on the cross slats |04, |05. Through the normal shaking action of the rack, the straw and grain are advanced rearwardly along the rack, that is, in the direction of discharge from the separator housing, the threshed grain, along with relatively short pieces of straw and chaff, falling through the spaces between the rack slats |04, |05 as the straw is advanced bottom plate |32 of the separator housing. A

grain drag or rake |35 of conventional design is provided within the separator housing below the straw rack, this drag or rake including a pair of endless'chains passing over driving sprockets at the rear end of the separator and over suitable sprockets |31 at the front end of the housing, with spaced transverse raking bars |00 extending between and connecting the chains.

The grain drag is so disposed relative to the bottom wall |32 that the lower course of the drag brushes over the upper surface of the bottom wall |32 of the housing; and carries grain falling thereon rearwardly along the plate to the forward edge thereof, where it drops onto a suitably disposed fanning or cleaning device, not shown.

|12 represents a tailings conveyer having a discharge spout |13 at its upper end through which tailings are fed to an inlet |14 of a recleaning device |10, the latter including a screen |10 on which the tailings are received, clean grain being discharged therefrom through a spout |10 and chute |0| into the forward end of the separator housing where the grain drag conveys this clean grain rearwardly. Tailings passing along the screen |18 are discharged through a spout |02 into a chute |03 which conveys such tailings to an opening in the upper wall of the cylinder housing at the forward side thereof, so that these tailings are again subjected to the action of the threshing mechanism and discharged therefrom onto the forward portion of the separator rack. The recleaner is mounted on pivoted supporting links |84, |85, and a suitably actuated pitman rod |00 imparts the desired shaking motion to the recleaner.

Clean grain from the separating rack and cleaning device is received in a well portion |52 of the bottom wall of a separator housing and is conveyed therefrom forwardly of the machine by a conventional screw conveyer mounted on the shaft |54, through a conveyer housing section |01 and to a bottom well portion of an elevating conveyer |09, the latter being carried by and associated with the structure of the grain binl Il into which the elevating conveyer may be arranged to discharge the clean grain.

Power for operating various mechanisms of the apparatus is derived from a drive shaft 201 mounted on the frame of a. machine and suitably connected at its forward end to a power source, such as the power takeoff of a tractor, this drive shaft 201 being connectedrto drive the conveyer shaft |54 and also being suitably connected to drive the transverse shaft 223.

A V-groove sheave 220, the latter being vconnected with a V-groove sheave 221 on the operating shaft 02 of the threshing cylinder, through a V-belt 220, preferably with a suitable idler sheave cooperating with the belt to secure the desired tension thereof. A second V-groove sheave 229 is mounted on the shaft 223 and is connected through a V-belt 23| to a V-pulley 232 on the operating shaft 10 of the upper roller 10 of the feeding conveyer 15, andl to a V- ulley 234 v mounted on the inner side wall of the header frame, preferably through a suitable idler pulley. The sheave 234 may be used to operate a sickle at the forward end of the header frame. 'I'he shaft 39a of the upper roller 30 of the main feed draper may be driven through a flexible belt drive from the shaft 10 of the auxiliary draper 15. A flexible belt drive 250 from a traction wheel axle to a pulley or sprocket on a shaft 251, thence through a v-belt 260, may serve as a drive for a rotatable gathering reel mounted on the header frame.

The diameters of the various driving and driven 3a pulleys may be so selected as to give the desired normal speeds of rotation to the driven shafts. Further adjustment of the speeds of the individual driven shafts may be secured through the use of V-groove pulleys of known design wherein provisions are made for adjusting the width of the space between the side walls of the belt groove, thus permitting the driving belt to sink to variable distances in the groove and thereby providing at will a considerable range of effective pitch diameters of the sheaves.

'I'he matter of facility for adjustment of the speed of the threshing cylinder for different crops is a matter of considerable importance, particularly with a threshing mechanism of the character described hereinabove where the cut grain is fed in a relatively thin stream of a width corresponding to the length of the sickle, for most eiilcient results in the matter of maximum recovery of clean grain or seed without cracking or damage to the latter are to be secured at different operating speeds for different crops, and often for the same crop under varying conditions of the crop, such as size of stalks and amount of weeds included with the crop.

It should be understood that features and oper- A ating e'ects of the invention disclosed hereinabove have definite commercial applications and utility other than in the particular apparatus described and the invention is to be considered as embracive of these various applications and utilities. And it is not desired that the invention be limited to the exact details of construction provided with a plurality of circumferentially A tending,

terial being Vthreshed is forced transversely of said axis and toward the discharge from said threshing mech during operation thereof, and said xed threshing element including a threshing member in the form of a ledger plate element disposed at the forward edge of said fixed threshing element and extending longitudinally of said axis and projecting rearwardly into proximity to the path of travel of said rotatable threshing bars, said ledger plate being provided at its upper face adjacent said path of travel with a surface portion of resiliently yieldable maierial across which the material to be threshed is fed rearwardly into the path of travel of said rotatable threshing bars.

2. In a threshing apparatus, threshing mechanism comprising a rotatable threshing element and a relatively fixed concave threshing element, and means providing for the feed of material to said threshing mechanism transversely of the axis of rotation of said rotatable threshing element across the major portion of the axial length thereof, said rotatable threshing element being provided at its periphery with a plurality of circumferentially spaced and longitudinally extending rigid threshing members provided at their leading faces with a longitudinally extended surface portion of resiliently yieldable material presenting a substantially continuous y resiliently yieldable impact threshing surface exsmooth and unbroken,a fixed concave threshing element having one or more longitudinally exspaced, bar-like threshing members upon its inner surface and disposed in position adjacent the path of said rotatable threshing members and across which material being threshed is forced transversely of said axis and toward the discharge from said threshing mechanism during operation-said threshing members of said concave having their leading faces provided with a facing portion of resiliently yieldable material and inclined in the direction of travel of said rotatable threshing members from a plane including the axis of said rotatable threshing element.

3. In a threshing apparatus, threshing mechanism comprising a rotatable threshingelement and a relatively -lxed and substantially imperforate concave threshing element, and means for feeding material to said threshing mechanism in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation of said rotatable threshing element across the major portion of the axial length thereof, said rotatable threshing element being provided at its periphery with a plurality of circumferentially spaced threshing bars extending throughout the length of said element, said bars being'relatively rigid and unyielding and having their leading edges provided with a longitudinally extending and substantially unbroken facing of resiliently yieldable material and their radially outer edges uncovered and relatively smooth, said facing presenting a resiliently yieldable impact threshing surface the general piane of which lies substantially radial of the rotatable threshing element, said concave threshing element having arelatively rigid, substantially axially extending, raised bar-like threshing element having its leading edge portion of resiliently yieldablev material and being disposed in position to the rear of and spaced from the leading edge of said concave and adiacent the path of said rotatable threshing bars and across which material rbeing threshed is forced transversely of said axis and toward the discharge from said threshing mech.. anism during operation thereof.

4.In 'a lthreshing apparatus, threshing mechanism comprising a rotatable threshing element and a relatively iixed concave threshing element, and means for feeding material to said threshing mechanism in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation of said rotatable threshing element across the major portion of the axial length thereof, said rotatable threshing.

element being provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending, relatively rigid threshing bars, said fixed concave threshing element having a substantially axially extending bar-like threshing element of resiliently yieldable material disposed in position to the rear of and spaced from the leading edge of said concave element and adjacent the path of said rotatable threshing members and across which material being threshed is forced transversely of said axis and toward the discharge from said threshing mechanism during operation thereof, and a clamping strip embracing a portion of the inner surface of said fixed threshing element and securing said element `in position.

5. In a threshing apparatus, threshing mechanism comprising a rotatable threshing element and a relatively fixed concave threshing element, and means for feeding material to said threshing mechanism in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation of said rotatable threshing element across the major portion of the axial length thereof, said rotatable threshing element being provided at its periphery with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending, relatively rigid threshing bars extending throughout the length of said rotatable element in the general direction of the axis thereof and provided at their leading faces with a substantially unbroken surface portion of resiliently yieldable material presenting a substantially con- .tinuous resiliently yieldable impact threshing surface extending outwardly in a direction having its major component radial of said rotatableelement, the radially outer edges of said bars being relatively smooth, and said fixed concave threshing element having one or more spaced bar-like and substantially axially extending threshing members having the leading edge thereof provided with a facing of resiliently yieldable material and disposed at the inner surface of said concave element in relatively close proximity to said rotatable threshing elements.

i. In a threshing apparatus, threshing mechanism comprising a rotatable threshing element and a relatively iixed concave threshing element, and means for feeding material to said threshing mechanism in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation of said rotatable threshing element across the major portion of the axial length thereof, said rotatable threshing element being provided at its periphery with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extendlng, relatively rigid threshing bars extending throughout the length of said rotatable element in the general direction of the axis thereof and provided at their leading faces with a surface portion of resiliently yieldable material presenting a substantially continuous resiliently yieldable impact threshing surface extending outwardly in a direction having its major component radial of said rotatable element, and said fixed threshing element having at its forward edge a ledger plate extending longitudinally in the direction ofthe axis of said rotatable threshing element and projecting rearwardly toward and into proximity to the path of `travel o! said rotatable threshing bars, said ledger plate having at its upper face a surface portion of resiliently yieldable material across which material to be threshed is fed rearwardly into the path of travel of said rotatable threshing bars, and a bar-like threshing element in the rear of and spaced from said plate-like threshing element `and having its leading face portion of resiliently yieldable material and inclined rearwardly in the direction of travel of said rotatable threshing bars and extending longitudinally of the axis of said rotatable threshing element and disposed in relatively close proximity to said rotatable threshing bars.

'7. In a threshing apparatus, threshing mechanism suitable for operation at high speed and comprising a rotatable threshing element and a relatively fixed concave threshing element, and means providing for the feed of material to and its discharge from said threshing mechanism tatable threshing element. said latter element being provided at its periphery with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending, relatively rigid threshing bars comprising a metallic reinforcing or strengthening element and a longitudinally extended and substantially unbroken facing of resiliently yieldable material at its leading edge and presenting a resiliently yieldable impact threshing surface extending outwardly in a direction whose major component is radial of said rotatable element, and said fixed concave threshing element being provided with one or more longitudinally extending threshing members disposed in position adjacent the path of said rotatable threshing bars and provided at their leading edges with a facing of resiliently yieldable material.

8. In a threshing apparatus, threshing mechanism suitable for operation at high speed and comprising a rotatable threshing element and a relatively fixed threshing element, and means providing for the feed of material to and its discharge from said threshing element transversely of the axis of rotation of said rotatable threshing element, said rotatable threshing element being provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending, rigid metal threshing bars provided at their leading faces with a covering of resiliently yieldable material presenting a substantially continuous and unbroken resiliently yieldable impact threshing surface extending outwardly in a direction whose major component is radial of said rotatable threshing element, the material of said bars being uncovered at their radially outer edges, and said relatively xed concave threshing element being provided with one or more longitudinally extending threshing members disposed in positransversely of the axis of rotation of said rotion adjacent the path of said rotatableA threshing bars the leading faces of said concave threshing members having a facing of resiliently yieldable material the leading surface of which is inclined rearwardly from the radial in the direction of travel of said rotatable threshing bars.

9. In a threshing apparatus, threshing mechanism suitable for operation at high speed and comprising a rotatable threshing element and a relatively Vnxed threshing element, and means providing for the feed of material to and its discharge from said threshing mechanism transversely of the axis of rotation of said rotatable threshing element across the maior portion of the axial length thereof, said rotatable threshing element being provided at its periphery with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending, relatively .rigid threshing bars each providing an impact threshing member having at its leading edge a longitudinally extended and substantially continuous impact threshing surface of resiliently yieldable material extending substantially radially of the rotatable threshing element, and said relatively fixed concave threshing element being provided with one or more longitudinally extending threshing members having their leading edges provided with a facing of resiliently yieldable material and disposed in position adjacent the path of said rotatable threshing bars and across which the material being threshed is forced transversely of said axis and toward the discharge from said threshing mechanism during operation thereof.

l0. A threshing apparatus, comprising a rotatable threshing cylinder provided with longitudinally extending, relatively rigid, threshing bars and a stationary threshing element provided with one or more longitudinally extending threshing bars slightly spaced from the path of said cylinder bars, wherein the material to be threshed is fed to and passed between the threshing bars of said cylinder and said stationary threshing element transversely of the axis of said cylinder, and wherein the threshing bars of said cylinder are provided with rubber or like resilient facings on their leading edges or sides presenting longitudinally extending impact threshing surfaces extending outwardly in a direction whose major component is radial of said rotatable cylinder.

ll. A threshing apparatus, comprising a rotatable threshing cylinder provided with longitudinally extending and relatively rigid threshing bars and a stationary threshing element provided with one or more longitudinally extending threshing bars slightly spaced from the path of said cylinder bars, wherein the material to be threshed is fed to and passed between the thresh- 'ing bars of said cylinder and said stationary threshing element transversely of the axis of said cylinder, and wherein the threshing bars of said cylinder have their leading edges or sides provided with a facing of rubber or like resiliently yieldable material presenting a longitudinally extended and substantially unbroken impact threshing surface which extends substantially radially of the cylinder, and the threshing bars of said stationary threshing element have their leading edges or sides provided with a facing of rubber or like resiliently yieldable material whose leading surface is inclined rearwardly in the direction of travel of material through the threshing mechanism.

WALTER R. DRAY. 

